Woven-wire stretcher



J. W. HUT'OHISON. WOVEN WIRE STRETOHBR.

No. 573,150. Patented Dec. 15, 1896.

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JOHN W. HUTOI-IISON, OF GOWER, MISSOURI.

WOVEN-WIRE STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,150, dated December 15, 1896. Application filed July '7, 1896. Serial No. 598,325. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. HUTCHISON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gower, in the county of Clinton and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVoven-Wire Stretehers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to woven-wire-fence stretchers.

My object is to provide a simple and cheap stretcher adapted for quick and easy application to any woven-"wire fence, so that it can be locked between the fence-posts and keep the fence suitably stretched vertically, so that the necessity of employing additional posts and staples, with the consequent labor of digging post-holes and putting up the posts, will be obviated.

A further object is to provide a wovenwire-fence stretcher which may be used to stretch the fence vertically, so that it will be in proper position to be stapled to the fencepost.

Having these objects in View, my invention consists of a fence-wire stretcher of the class described, comprising two members hinged together, improved rests or catches on each member, and means for holding the members locked together in extended position.

The inventionfurther consists of certain other novel features and combinations appearing more fully hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved stretcher; Fig. 2, a perspective view showing the members bent, and Figs. and 4 views showing the stretcher applied to an ordinary wovenwire fence.

A and 13 designate the two members of the stretcher, and these, when taken together in extended position, are of the same height as the fence. The ends of the respective members are preferably tapered somewhat and the members are constructed of wood for the sake of lightness. The face of each member at the end thereof is somewhat inclined, as at 1.

cated on member A not far from the hinged portion thereof. The catches or rests D and E are adapted for engagement with the eX- treme upper and lower wires of the fence, while rest F engages with one of the intermediate wires, so that the stretcher is more firmly held in position. On the opposite side of the stretcher there is located a lockingplate G, which is securely connected at all times to member A, and when the parts are extended it is connected to member 13, so as to hold the members locked, by fasteningscrews 4.

In the drawings I have shown my improved stretcher applied to a section of ordinary woven-wire fence. After thewoven wire has been stapled to the fence-posts, which latter may be located a considerable distance apart, say forty or even sixty feet, the upper catch or rest is made to straddle the extreme upper wire of the fence, while the lower rest is made to straddle the lower fence-wire. The two members may now be extended and one of the intermediate fence-wires guided into the intermediate rest. The fastening-screws are now applied, so that the locking-plate is securely fastened to both members and they are held in locked position. The fence is thus stretched vertically, and the necessity of employing additional fence-posts andl staples and the consequent expenditure of time and labor is satisfactorily obviated. In applying the fence to a fence-post the former can be stretched perpendicularly and then stapled to the post, so that a better fence will be obtained.

It is obvious that my invention could be varied in many slight and immaterial ways without departing from its spirit or scope, and it is to be understood, therefore, that I consider myself entitled to all such variations as come within the purview of my invention.

ICO

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

I. In a woven-wirc-fence stretcher,the combination with members hinged together and adapted for engagement with the upper and lower portions of the fence, of a plate detachably secured to both the respective members and adapted for locking said members together in extended position.

2. In awoven-wire-fence stretcl1er,tl1e combination with members hinged together, of catches located on each member and adapted for engagement with the upper and lower portions of the fence, a plate, and removable screws passing through the plate, and into said members whereby they are held in locked and extended relation.

3. I11 a woven-wirc-fenc'e stretcl1er,the combination with members hinged together, of catches or irons located at the ends of the members and adapted for engagement with the upper and lower portions of the fence, and a plate secured to both the members and adapted forlockin g said members in extended relation.

4:. In a wovcn-wire-fence stretcher,the combination with members hinged together, of rests or catches connected to the members at their ends, said rests or catches comprising a base which is suitably fastened to the member, and an offset portion between which and the member the wire of the fence is received, and means for locking the members together in extended position or releasing them.

5. In a woven-wire-fence stretcher,the combination with members hinged together, catches connect ed to the members at the free ends thereof, being adapted to receive the upper and lower portions of the fence an additional catch or rest connected to one of the members near its hinged end which receives an intermediate portion of the fence, of means for loekin g the members together in extended relation.

In testimony whereof I have signed this 

